After - or even as - you listen to the sermon, try digging deeper into the text by working through these questions:
Who are some examples, from the Bible and elsewhere, of people who blessed their persecutors (12:14)?
Who are some examples of people of "low position" whom you can reach out to (12:16)?
Why does Paul tell us not to get even in 12:19?
Why should we submit to our government (13:1-2)?
What example does he give of how we can do this (13:6-7)? What are other ways you can think of?
I'd highly recommend reading this post by Pastor Jordan Muck with summarizes well the biblical foundation for how we ought to interact with our governing powers.
Greetings! We're trying something a little "extra" for this week's worship. Given we're all still following the "self-isolation" guidelines to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, I thought we'd give you a supplement for doing church at home.
After - or even as - you listen to the sermon, try digging deeper into the text by working through these questions:
1.Paul, a Jew, calls
himself an “apostle to the Gentiles” (Rom.1:5). What is his response to the
Jewish people rejecting the Gospel – 9:1-3?
2.What are the spiritual
privileges Israel had – 9:4-5?
3.What is the point
Paul is making about the true children and descendants of Abraham – 9:6-9?
4.Who are the other
Old Testament people Paul references in 9:10-18 and what is the truth about God
he is teaching?
5.In 9:25-26, Paul
quotes verses from Hosea that originally were about Israel. Who does he apply them
to now here in Romans?
6.What does this
chapter teach us about God’s larger plan of salvation?
Worship Songs
Had we gathered in person today, here's a sample of what the worship would have been like. Given our passage's focus on God's plan and promises, focus on these hymns that highlight the same sorts of themes.
Originally, our worship teams were planning to introduce a song to our congregation this week called "King of Kings" from Hillsong. We were going to use it as an offertory and then start teaching it to you over the next couple weeks. Ultimately the goal is to incorporate it into our worship service on Easter. It is an incredible worship song that reflects on the meta-story of the Bible that culminates in the beautiful events of Easter (and beyond).
Daily Devotional Reading
Paul traces Israel’s history
through this chapter to show how God’s plan has been unfolding in unique and unexpected
ways from the beginning. This week, let’s look at the Old Testament background
passages to gain a fuller appreciation of Romans 9.
Monday – Abraham & Isaac, Genesis 21, 22:15-19
Tuesday – Isaac/Rebekah and
Jacob/Esau,Genesis 25:19-34
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Wednesday – Moses and Pharaoh, Exodus 9-10:20
Thursday – Moses and Pharaoh,Exodus 10:21-11, 12:29-36
